News 11:00

BULLETIN 18 February 11 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# An ANC leader says the world’s decolonisation programme has not yet ended
# African swine fever outbreak has been detected in pigs in George
# And, tennis: Swiatek takes her third consecutive Doha title

# ANC national committee member Obed Bapela says colonisation is over, but the world’s decolonisation programme has not yet ended. Bapela is among the ANC delegates attending the forum of supporters of the struggle against modern practices of neocolonialism in Moscow. Bapela says for the first time, all former colonised countries have met to form a global south organisation to disrupt neocolonialism to the core:

# Western Cape MEC for Agriculture Ivan Meyer says a new outbreak of African swine fever has been confirmed in pigs of small farmers on the outskirts of Groeneweide Park, George. About 45 pigs have died thus far, and the area has been placed under quarantine. Community members have been urged to not remove any pigs or pig products from the area. Meyer says the virus is specific to pigs and does not affect humans or other animals:

# The ministers of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment, Barbara Creecy, and Water and Sanitation, Senzo Mchunu, have noted public concerns related to Rand Water’s use of chemical, glyphosate, to clear alien invasive plants from the Vaal River. Rand Water’s process involves physical removal, biocontrol and chemical application. Environment departmental spokesperson, Peter Mbelengwa, says the invasive species from South America has flourished at an alarming rate because of a sewage spill:

# A senior official in Pakistan has admitted to election rigging amid protests a week after the polls returned no clear winner. The election has been marred by controversies and allegations of manipulation. Rawalpindi commissioner Liaqat Ali Chattha told reporters authorities changed the results of independent candidates, referring to those backed by the jailed former prime minister Imran Khan’s party. Chattha says this reversed the margins of 70-thousand votes in 13 national assembly seats.

# And, tennis: World number one Iga Swiatek from Poland has won the Qatar Open, beating world number four Elena Rybakina 7-6, 6-2. Swiatek became the first player in nearly nine years to win a WTA Tour event three consecutive times. Her victory over the Kazakhstani was her 12th straight win at the Doha event. With the victory, Swiatek claimed her 18th career singles title, and her first of the 2024 season.

Stay tuned for more news………….